PADRES: Prospects get lay of the land

Club unveils winter program at Petco for young players

SAN DIEGO -- Reymond Fuentes may be a step farther from the big
leagues than the rest of the Padres prospects in town this week,
but it won't stop him from dreaming.

Fuentes, one of three players acquired from the Boston Red Sox
in the trade for Adrian Gonzalez last month, is among 19 of the
franchise's top prospects taking part in the club's inaugural
winter program at Petco Park.

The idea, members of the Padres' front office say, is to help
the team's future stars get a head start on spring training and get
acclimated to the organization's player development staff. The
10-day session from Jan. 20-29 is giving Fuentes -- a 19-year-old
who spent last season at low Single-A Greenville -- ample time to
scope out Petco Park's massive center field, grounds he hopes to
roam one day in the near future.

"I dream of that every day," Fuentes said. "It's a matter of
time. You just have to get ready early just in case that call-up
gets here a little earlier than you think. I just work hard to get
here. That's my main goal is to get to this clubhouse with the
major league guys and play ball."

During the camp, players are hearing from two guest speakers
each day including former Padres Tony Gwynn, Brad Ausmus and Mark
Loretta. Monday's session included a talk with co-owner Jeff
Moorad. There's also extensive field work and time in the weight
room.

Randy Smith, the Padres' director of player development and
international scouting, thinks there's another advantage --
prospects are getting accustomed to their potential future
surroundings.

"It's definitely going to shorten the adjustment period when
they do get called to the big leagues -- the fact that they've
spent 10 days in this clubhouse, spent 10 days hitting on the field
and that they've spent 10 days walking around this city," Smith
said. "It's not going to be all brand new. It doesn't mean there's
not going to be an adjustment period, but I think it shortens the
breaking-in period."